McCartin to run for Clatsop County commission

George McCartin, a retired attorney who is a regular presence at public meetings, has announced he will run for a Clatsop County Board of Commissioners seat.

McCartin, 81, ran for Astoria City Council in the 2014 election and lost to Zetty Nemlowill.

McCartin will seek the District 1 seat held by Scott Lee, the board’s chairman, who is not running for re-election. Andrew Davis, a medical analyst, has also announced his intention to run for the seat. The position covers Warrenton, Hammond and the west end of Astoria.

McCartin was an attorney in private practice and spent several years with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in San Francisco before moving to Astoria more than 12 years ago. He was also a KMUN classical music programmer.

McCartin said he is running to help unify the county board. He described the board as a dichotomy of commissioners taking hard-line stances. Fiscal transparency, homelessness, criminal justice issues, mental health treatment and environmental concerns top his list of priorities should he be elected.

“I just feel we could get more done with the county and the cities working together,” McCartin said. “Hopefully I could convince the other commissioners to join me in working through these issues.”

On multiple occasions, he’s asked for items to be pulled off consent calendars at Astoria City Council meetings and placed as business agenda items to prompt more discussion.

“I was bringing up issues sometimes that they don’t want to deal with,” McCartin said. “I think I could be on the opposite end and function quite well.”

Other than the recent infighting on the county board, McCartin has been satisfied with Lee’s performance as chairman.

“If he was running again, I wouldn’t think of running under any circumstances,” McCartin said. “I’ve been very impressed with his capacity as chairman all told.”

Two other positions will be up for election in the May 15 primary. Peter Roscoe, a former Astoria city councilor and Fulio’s Pastaria owner, has filed for the District 3 seat along with Pamela Wev, an Astoria land use consultant. Lisa Clement, co-owner of Clemente’s Seafood, has not announced whether she will seek re-election.

Susana Gladwin, a Jewell farmer, has filed for the District 5 seat held by Commissioner Lianne Thompson, who has said she intends to run for another term.